Skip to content
MathsGenie logo
Quick links
Open app

Course home

  1. IGCSE
  3. Physics Edexcel
  5. Question bank

Motion in the universe

EasyMediumHard
123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536
Question 23

Astronomical bodies in a stellar system orbit a central star.

a.

Name the force that keeps planets and comets in orbit around a star.

[1]
b.

The diagram below shows the schematic orbits of a planet and a comet around a star. A system diagram showing two dashed orbital paths around a central dot labeled X. One dashed path is nearly circular with a dot labeled Y on it. The other path is a highly elongated ellipse with a dot labeled Z on it. The circular and elliptical paths intersect at two distinct positions. Dot X is located within both orbital paths, positioned at one focus of the ellipse and at the center of the circle. Identify which label (XXX, YYY, or ZZZ) represents the star, the planet, and the comet.

[3]
c.

Explain why it is possible for the planet and the comet to collide.

[2]

Motion in the universe Questions

  1. IGCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /Motion in the universe